Method of making a repetitive or non-repetitive modular weave design

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method for making a repetitive or non-repetitive modular weave design. The method described enables one to create the modular element bearing the image of woven string segments and to assemble a collection of these modules to create the overall weave design. Assembling a plurality of substantially identical modules to cover a surface creates the overall weave design. Aligning the modules similarly creates a repetitive weave design, and changing the orientation of one or more modules in the overall pattern changes the weave design while maintaining the woven relationship of the strings. Each module of area has the shape such as a polygon or a derivative thereof such that the collective placement of these modules side by side with their edges aligned forms a continuous covering of a surface. One type of shape is a regular polygon, such as a square. Another is based on a square, but the sides are curved like an “S” so that the edge of one module can nest along the edge of the adjacent module. Triangles and hexagons can be used on two-dimensional surfaces and their derivatives with curved edges can be used as well. Similarly, pentagons and their derivatives with curved edges can be used to cover three-dimensional surfaces.

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/397,519, filed 2002 Jul. 22.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Background—Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to designs and provides a method ofmaking a unique weave design that has many practical applications.

[0004] 2. Background—Description of Prior Art

[0005] It has been known, in the prior art, to make designs from aplurality of blocks or squares. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 1,453,728 shows amethod of making an ornamental design from a set of squares, the designbeing built up from selected portions of circular arcs. U.S. Pat. No.1,973,564 discloses a set of blocks, each having different patterns, theblocks being assembled to form ornamental designs.

[0006] Other patents showing the use of blocks or squares to createlarger designs include U.S. Pat. Nos. 741,142, 1,268,391, 2,881,537, and3,464,145. U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,923 shows a design that includesidentical and regular polygons in some cases and non-identical andirregular polygons in other cases. U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,956 shows adesign having identical polygons with bilaterally symmetrical singleline designs. The square members of U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,956 contain somesimilar features such as separated and contrasting fields within theelement that form the perception of a path. However, the uniqueness ofthe present invention is that elements placed together form a weavedesign. More than one path crossing per edge of the element is possiblein the modules of the present invention. Non-square elements andelements with non-straight edges are also possible.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,411 shows a method for making anon-repetitive design, the design being formed of a large number ofsubstantially identical squares or polygons. However, the designs onthese polygons yield patterns that are layered one over the otherwithout variation. The present invention improves on the prior art byusing the alternating over and under passage of linear elements to yielda weaving pattern. Thus, virtually every possible orientation of themodules yields a meaningful variation of the weave design withoutdisturbing the weave appearance. The weaving designs made according tothe present invention can therefore be realized with virtually endlessvariety. One advantage of modular construction is that the weave designcan be mass-produced and attached permanently to a solid substrate.Moreover, comparatively unskilled persons can install the weave designsmade according to the present invention, because the orientation of themodules is not critical and, in fact, creates a variety of weavedesigns. These weave designs can be made repetitive or non-repetitive bysimply choosing the orientation of the modules.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method ofmaking a multiplicity of weave designs which are formed of a pluralityof substantially identical modules.

[0009] It is another object to provide a method of making a modularweave design that is repetitive or non-repetitive across a given area.

[0010] It is another object to provide a method of making a modularweave design that exhibits continuity from one module to the next.

[0011] It is another object to provide a method of making a large weavedesign which is made of a set of smaller modules, and wherein theappearance of the larger weave design is, in general, substantiallydifferent from that of the module.

[0012] It is another object to provide a method of making a repetitiveor non-repetitive modular weave design which can be realized in avirtually endless variety of ways.

[0013] It is another object to provide a method of making a repetitiveor non-repetitive modular weave design which can be created and/orassembled by persons having limited artistic ability, or by computers.

[0014] It is another object to provide a method of making a repetitiveor non-repetitive modular weave design with modules which have edgesthat are not straight, but still exhibit the ability to provide acontinuous weave design when assembled.

[0015] It is another object to provide a method of making a modularweave design, the modules of which can be produced in quantity, forattachment to a solid substrate, so as to provide designs for furnitureand interior structures, and to decorate other surfaces.

[0016] It is another object to provide a method of making a modularweave design, the modules of which can also be used to make toys andgames.

[0017] An advantage of the present invention is that each orientation ofthe element results in preservation of the weave pattern from oneelement to the next.

[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that users mayorient the modules in many ways, resulting in many unique weave designs.

[0019] The present invention has the additional advantage that it can bepracticed by virtually anyone, even by persons having limited artistictalent. Once the module has been created, simply arranging the modulesto cover a surface forms the overall weave design.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art, from a reading of the followingbrief description of the drawings, the detailed description of theinvention, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a drawing of a square module of area bearing a portionof a weave design, which is made using the present invention, and whichcan be used to make a weave pattern that is repeating or non-repeating.

[0022]FIGS. 2a and 2 b are drawings showing dissimilar weave designs inassemblies of identical square modules of area made using the presentinvention.

[0023] FIGS. 3 to 7 are drawings showing the method of the presentinvention when applied to a square module of area.

[0024] FIGS. 8 to 11 are drawings showing the method of the presentinvention when applied to a triangular module of area.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a drawing showing the present invention when applied toa module of area having a curved edge.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a drawing of an assembly of square modules of area madeaccording to the present invention and assembled into a paver-stonepatio for landscaping.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0027]1. String

[0028]2. Background

[0029]3. Module of area oriented the same as all others.

[0030]4. Module of area rotated 90 degrees from original orientation.

[0031]5. String

[0032]6. String

[0033]7. String

[0034]8. String

[0035]9. Square boundary superimposed over arranged strings

[0036]10. Triangular boundary superimposed over arranged strings

[0037]11. Curved edge of 4-sided module of area

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention is a method by which one may create amodule of area bearing the visual design of woven string segments andassemble a collection of the modules of area to create an overall weavedesign over a surface. The assembling of the modules can be done withsimilar or randomized orientations to create or to avoid repetition inthe overall weave design without disturbing the proper weaving behaviorof the strings in the design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present invention is a method of making a repetitive ornon-repetitive modular weave design for a surface. By “modular”, it ismeant that the design is formed from a plurality of substantiallyidentical elements or modules of area. The term “non-repetitive” meansthat it is possible to find two regions of the surface having designswhich are different.

[0040]FIG. 1 is a drawing of a square module of area as an embodiment ofthe present invention bearing the image of woven strings (1) over abackground (2). The design can be made with modules of area having theshape of any regular polygon which, when combined with other polygonshaving the same size and shape, can cover a given surface area withoutleaving “holes”. The design can also be made with modules of area havingshapes based on regular polygons with bilaterally-symmetric non-straightedges such as an “s” shape which when combined with other similar shapescan cover a given surface area without leaving “holes”.

[0041]FIG. 2a shows an assembly of nine of the same modules of area fromFIG. 1, all arranged in the same orientation to create a repetitiveweave pattern. The center module of area (3) is shown oriented the sameas all others in the assembly. FIG. 2b shows nine of the same modules ofarea arranged with random orientations to create a non-repetitive weavepattern. The center module of area in the assembly (4) is rotated 90degrees counterclockwise from the original orientation.

[0042] The design of each module of area can be created in the followingmanner. First, start by randomly arranging a collection of strings on aflat surface as shown in FIG. 3. The strings in the figure are (5), (6),(7), and (8). Next, arrange the intersections of the strings in a wovenpattern so that each string alternately passes over and under those itintersects. Do this operation while preserving randomness in thearrangement. A segment of this weave pattern will provide the basis fora module of area. FIG. 4 shows strings arranged in such a relationship.String (5) has been routed under String (7) while kept over String (8),and the end of String (5), which originally intersected String (6) inFIG. 3 is routed so that there is not an intersection.

[0043] Establish a boundary around a portion of the weave pattern in theshape you wish to use for the module of area. FIG. 5 shows a squareboundary (9) superimposed over the randomly arranged woven strings.

[0044] Move the strings that pass through the boundary so that theirintersections with the boundary are evenly divided between the edges.Strings may need to be added or taken away to accomplish this division,and if this is necessary, make sure to provide the woven intersectionsover and under the other strings. FIG. 6 shows the strings' boundaryintersections divided between the edges evenly. Note that Strings (6)and (7) have intersections with the square boundary that are moved toaccomplish this.

[0045] Arrange the intersections of the strings with the edges so thaton an edge, the intersections are spaced evenly from the midpoint of theedge. Also, make sure that the intersections to the edges form an angleperpendicular to the edge. This will provide the basis for a simpleelement, but a more complex version can be made with intersections atother angles, provided that from one edge to the next, theintersections' angles are repeated around the boundary on each edge. Forsimplicity, the perpendicular angle intersections will be used in thisdescription. From one edge to the next, arrange the spacings so thatthey are identically spaced. This will ensure that regardless of theorientation of a particular element, the overall pattern of multipleelements will have continuity of the weave pattern across the elementboundaries. FIG. 7 shows the module of area with the stringintersections with the edges properly spaced around the boundary. FIG. 7is now a module of area that can be used to create a weave design thatis repetitive or non-repetitive.

[0046] The module of area produced according to the method describedabove is then duplicated, and the result is a plurality of substantiallyidentical modules. These modules are then arranged with similar orrandom orientations to cover an arbitrary surface. When so arranged, themodules form a larger weave design, which, in general, appears quitedifferent from the design of the individual modules. The symmetry of theplacement of the string intersections on the edges of the boundaryinsures that the design will have continuity from one module to thenext. Although the original module is asymmetric, the pattern formed bythe plurality of identical modules exhibits a surprising degree ofcontinuity. Place a multiplicity of the modules of area such as those inFIG. 7 onto the surface to be covered to create a weave pattern. Ifdesired, place the modules in the same orientation to create arepetitive weave pattern. FIG. 2a shows such an arrangement. Arrange themodules randomly to create a non-repetitive pattern. FIG. 2b shows themodules arranged randomly so that the weave pattern is non-repetitive.

[0047] The steps illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 can be applied to thestrings with other module boundary shapes. As another example, to createan alternate embodiment of the present invention with triangular modulesof area, after completing the process up to the condition shown in FIG.4, proceed as follows:

[0048] Establish a boundary in the shape of an equilateral trianglearound a portion of the woven string pattern. FIG. 8 shows a triangularboundary (10) around the randomly woven strings (5), (6), (7), and (8)from FIG. 4. Notice that FIG. 8 is substantially identical to FIG. 5,with the exception of the square and the triangle.

[0049] As with the square element, move the strings that pass throughthe boundary so that their intersections with the boundary are evenlydivided between the edges. Strings may need to be added or taken away toaccomplish this division, and if this is necessary, make sure to providethe woven intersections over and under the other strings. FIG. 9 showsthe strings' boundary intersections divided between the edges evenly.String (6) has been removed to accomplish the operation because eightintersections with the boundary cannot be evenly divided between threeedges. Similarly, depending on the number of strings used, strings maybe added to accomplish the even division.

[0050] As with the square module, arrange the intersections of thestrings with the edges so that on an edge, the intersections are spacedevenly from the midpoint of the edge and make sure that theintersections to the edges form an angle perpendicular to the edge.Again, this will provide the basis for a simple module, but a morecomplex version can be made with intersections at other angles, providedthat from one edge to the next, the intersections' angles are repeatedaround the boundary on each edge.

[0051] From one edge to the next, arrange the spacings so that they areidentically spaced. FIG. 10 shows the triangular module of area with thestring intersections with the edges properly spaced around the boundary.FIG. 10 is now a triangular module that can be used in an assembly ofvirtually identical modules to create a weave design that is repetitiveor non-repetitive.

[0052] As with the square module, arrange a collection of the triangularmodules into an overall weave design. FIG. 11 shows a weave pattern madewith the triangular modules shown in FIG. 10.

[0053] Other shapes can be used to make similar surface weave designs. Ahexagonal module can be used on a flat surface, and when pentagonalmodules are used to cover a three-dimensional surface, the same methodmay be used to create a weave design over the surface.

[0054]FIG. 12 shows a predominantly square four-sided module of areamade with curved edges (11) that mate with adjacent modules edge-to-edgewithout leaving holes between them. Use the steps illustrated in FIGS.5, 6, and 7 to create the module of area wit this shape. As with thesquare boundary, the strings (5), (6), (7), and (8) from FIG. 4 again)intersect the edges in a controlled manner, with the same constraintsdescribed for FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0055] Operation

[0056]FIG. 13 is a drawing of a patio constructed from paver stonesdesigned with the present invention. The patio has been assembled withdeliberate orientations of the modules resulting in some symmetrywithout overall repetitiveness in the design. Identical modules wereused to construct the design, but the design does not appear to have afrequency of repetition equal to the number of modules. Randomorientations of the pavers would result in a randomized weave pattern,but the appearance of the strings alternately passing over and undereach string intersected would be maintained.

[0057] The module shown in FIG. 7 could be deemed complete. However, itis often desirable to put more ornamentation into the module background(2). One may thus fill the strings or background with a color, or with asubsidiary design element. The use of such a design element is notintegral to the principle of the invention, but may be added to enhancethe clarity or the aesthetic appeal of the design.

[0058] Because this process is able to generate such a variety of forms,and at the same time is able to maintain a high degree of unity, theprocess has many applications within the design industries.

[0059] For example, the present invention can be used in interiordesign. One example of such use is in making ceramic tiles, paver stonesfor patios, or floor tiles. FIG. 13 is a drawing of paver stones madeusing the present invention assembled into a modular patio forlandscaping. The advantage of the present invention, when used for thispurpose, is that only one design for one tile needs to be created, yetthe overall design does not repeat itself, and many variations of thedesign can be formed by distributing the tiles randomly or withdeliberate order.

[0060] The design of the present invention can also be used indecoration of fabrics, on wallpaper, on decorative cinder blocks, foruse in the construction industry, and in decorative wrapping paper andpackaging. In general, it can be used to decorate virtually anytwo-dimensional surface, including two-dimensional surfaces that occupya three-dimensional space (such as a fabric). In the above examples, thedesign is permanently affixed to a substrate, such as a wall, a floor,or the surface of a piece of furniture.

[0061] The process of the present invention can also be used toconstruct a toy or puzzle consisting of a set of squares, or otherregular polygons, which fit within a frame. A simple case would be thatof sixteen squares that fit into a square frame, each square having adesign made according to the method described with respect to FIGS. 3 to7. The appearance of the entire puzzle is changed every time theorientation of a square is changed. The puzzle can be an educationaltoy, a conversation piece, or a decoration for home or office, or all ofthe above.

[0062] Another use of the present invention is in making a toy ordecorative item having the form of a set of cubes, similar to the devicepopularly known as the “Rubik's cube”. For example, one can make 27identical cubes, capable of being fitted together to form one largecube, each cube having identical designs on each side, but withdiffering orientations. The design on each side is made according to themethod described with respect to FIGS. 3 to 7. The cubes could be turnedindividually; thereby changing one of the squares of the design, andthus creating an overall weave design having a new appearance. Thisproduct could also serve as an educational toy, a decoration, aconversation piece, or any or all of these. One could also make a set ofblocks which are not fastened into a cube, but which contain the basicmodule on each side, and which can be arranged in patterns of endlessvariety.

[0063] Furthermore, the entire design process can be performed by acomputer, or by other mechanical means. It is a simple matter to programa computer to proceed through a large set of configurations of points,to generate connecting thick lines, use logic to create the alternatingover/under weave appearance of the thick lines, and to fill in selectedspaces. The program would include a step to insure that the design ofthe module is asymmetric, and to reject those modules whose designs turnout to be symmetrical. The resulting modules can be used to buildelaborate and original designs.

[0064] After a design for a module is chosen, the computer can also beused to assemble the modules randomly form the larger pattern.

[0065] A computer can also be used to generate a moving design that canbe used as an art form. That is, the computer can be programmed todisplay an orientation of a plurality of identical modules, madeaccording to the invention, and to vary continuously the orientation ofone or more modules of the large weave design. The viewer can watch ascreen, or other display device, while the large weave design changeswith time. Each change in the design would be due only to the change inorientation of one or more modules. In other words, the computer can beused to generate one or more realizations of the weave design, and canbe programmed to display an ordered or random sequence of suchrealizations.

[0066] The method for creating the modules can be used to create wovenpatterns of animal or human forms, grass weave, grape vines, ropes,train tracks, and an endless variety of other decorative forms.

[0067] While the invention has been described with respect to certainembodiments, it is understood that the invention is not intended to belimited to what is shown. The designs can be complemented with variousconventional design elements, such as granular texture, or poroussurface treatment, or color to provide enhancement to the visual appeal.

I claim:
 1. A method of making a repetitive or non-repetitive modularweave design comprising the steps of: (a) providing a module of areahaving distinct edges, said module bearing a visual image of stringsegments arranged in a portion of a weave pattern deliberately avoidingrotational symmetry, which, when placed in an arrangement with amultiplicity of other modules of substantially identical shape andappearance, said modules with said edges aligned edge-to-edge, forms acontinuous area bearing the visual image of a continuous weave design,(b) assembling said modules of area to form said continuous weave designwhich is varied by selective orientation of any or all of said modules,whereby one can create any repetitive or non-repetitive variation ofsaid continuous weave design from said substantially identical modulesby simply selectively orienting said modules.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said area module is a regular polygon.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein said area module is based on a regular polygon, with the addedfeature that said edges are curved.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid string segments are replaced by linear graphic designs.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said area modules are assembled on a displayscreen of a computer.
 6. A method of making a repetitive ornon-repetitive modular weave design by utilizing a module of area havingdistinct edges, said module bearing a visual image of string segmentsarranged in a portion of a weave pattern deliberately avoidingrotational symmetry, which, when placed in an arrangement with amultiplicity of other modules of substantially identical shape andappearance, said modules with said edges aligned edge-to-edge, forms acontinuous area bearing the visual image of a continuous weave design,and assembling said modules of area to form said continuous weave designwhich is varied by selective orientation of any or all of said modules,whereby one can create any repetitive or non-repetitive variation ofsaid continuous weave design from said substantially identical modulesby simply selectively orienting said modules.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein said area module is a regular polygon.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein said area module is based on a regular polygon, with the addedfeature that said edges are curved.
 9. The method of claim 6, whereinsaid string segments are replaced by linear graphic designs.
 10. Themethod of claim 6, wherein said area modules are assembled on a displayscreen of a computer.